Cedar Pass Campground  campground
Interior, South Dakota

Cedar Pass Campground

Mostly first-come
100 campsites
Open in maps

100

Total Campsites

Campground

Reservable Sites

Mostly first-come

Accessible

ADA-compliant sites

Organization

Managing agency

Overview

About Cedar Pass Campground

Overview Surrounded by the vast, open prairie and featuring expansive views of the Badlands, Cedar Pass Campground is a great base camp from which to explore Badlands National Park. Featuring 96 sites, this seasonal campground is open from late March through mid-October, and is conveniently located within easy walking distance of Cedar Pass Lodge & Restaurant, and the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Recreation An evening program led by park rangers is held nightly at the Cedar Pass Amphitheater. This event runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, beginning each evening with a half-hour educational talk about the Badlands, covering a wide array of topics that change every evening. Once the educational part of the presentation finishes, the rangers begin a guided night sky viewing program. Interesting facts and features of our night sky will be explored and pointed out for you via laser, and telescopes are often provided to view star clusters, planets, and the Milky Way. The Ampitheater parking lot is conveniently located at the entrance to Cedar Pass Campground, in easy walking distance for most campers! For evening program start times, please see the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, Cedar Pass Lodge, or the host kiosk at the campground entrance. Facilities An evening program led by park rangers is held nightly at the Cedar Pass Amphitheater. This event runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, beginning each evening with a half-hour educational talk about the Badlands, covering a wide array of topics that change every evening. Once the educational part of the presentation finishes, the rangers begin a guided night sky viewing program. Interesting facts and features of our night sky will be explored and pointed out for you via laser, and telescopes are often provided to view star clusters, planets, and the Milky Way. The Ampitheater parking lot is conveniently located at the entrance to Cedar Pass Campground, in easy walking distance for most campers! For evening program start times, please see the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, Cedar Pass Lodge, or the host kiosk at the campground entrance. Natural Features Cedar Pass Campground is surrounded by prairie grasslands and Badlands buttes, or geologic formations. These formations contain sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, claystone, limestone, volcanic ash, and shale. The natural beauty of this landscape makes for stunning sunrises and sunsets, while low population density and very little light pollution creates a beautiful night sky most evenings. Nearby Attractions Ben Reifel Vistor Center Cedar Pass Lodge Minuteman National Historic Site Prairie Homestead Mount Rushmore (1 hour, 45 mins) Custer State Park (1 hour, 45 mins)

  • 100 total campsites listed.
  • Primarily first-come camping based on current listing data.
  • Most common site type: unknown (100).
  • Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Cedar Pass Campground  photo 2
Cedar Pass Campground  photo 3

Our Take

What makes Cedar Pass Campground special

Cedar Pass Campground is where the Great Plains meet something extraordinary. Sitting within Badlands National Park in South Dakota, this 100-site campground places you in the middle of one of the most visually striking landscapes in the American West. The views here are expansive and almost surreal: layered buttes, sharp pinnacles, and eroded formations stretch to the horizon in every direction, glowing in shades of gold, pink, and deep red as the light shifts throughout the day. The campground itself occupies open prairie, which means your tent or RV enjoys unobstructed sightlines that make sunrise and sunset daily events worth planning around. As the primary campground in Badlands National Park, Cedar Pass serves as an ideal base camp for exploring the park's trails, fossil exhibits, and scenic drives. The nearby Ben Reifel Visitor Center and Cedar Pass Lodge provide convenient amenities without diminishing the wild character of the place. Nights here are a revelation. With minimal light pollution, the dark sky above the Badlands delivers some of the finest stargazing in the country. Wildlife is a constant companion too, from bison grazing in the distance to prairie dogs chattering near the road. Cedar Pass is the kind of campground that fundamentally changes how you see the prairie.

Campsite Inventory

100 sites to choose from

Unknown

100total sites

0

Reservable

0

Accessible

Amenities & Details

Everything you need to know

AMPHITHEATER

Amphitheater

COIN SHOWERS

Coin Showers

Campfire Allowed

No

Check-in time

1:00 PM

Check-out time

11:00 AM

DRINKING WATER

Drinking Water

DUMP STATION

Dump Station

Driveway Grade

Moderate

Electricity Hookup

30/50

FLUSH TOILETS (SEASONAL)

Flush Toilets (Seasonal)

HOST

Host

Max guests

20, 4

Max vehicle length (ft)

20, 25, 30, 35

Minimum guests

Yes

PAVED SITES

Paved Sites

PICNIC TABLES

Picnic Tables

Pets allowed

Yes

Site Access

Drive-In

Reservations & Contact

Plan your stay

Mostly first-come

Phone

605-433-5460

Getting There

From Sioux Falls: Travel west on I-90 to exit 131. Turn south onto Hwy 240, the Badlands Loop Road and enter Badlands National Park at the Northeast entrance. Travel 8 miles to Cedar Pass Lodge, making a slight left onto Hwy 377. Cedar Pass Campground will be on your left. From Rapid City: Travel east on I-90 to exit 110. From exit 110, turn south onto Hwy 240, the Badlands Loop Road and enter Badlands National Park at the Pinnacles entrance. Travel 30 miles. Turn right on Hwy 377. Cedar Pass Campground will be on your left. From Rapid City:  (alternate route) Travel east on I-90 to exit 131. Turn south onto Hwy 240, the Badlands Loop Road and enter Badlands National Park at the Northeast entrance. Travel 8 miles to Cedar Pass Lodge, making a slight left onto Hwy 377. Cedar Pass Campground will be on your left.  Scenic Highway 44: Travel southeast on Hwy 44 to the town of Interior and continue northeast on Hwy 377 two miles to Cedar Pass Lodge

FAQ

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your trip to Cedar Pass Campground .

How do reservations work for Cedar Pass Campground ?

Reservation availability for Cedar Pass Campground can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.

What campsite types are available at Cedar Pass Campground ?

Cedar Pass Campground currently lists Unknown (100).

Where is Cedar Pass Campground located?

Cedar Pass Campground is in South Dakota near Interior. Coordinates: 43.7450, -101.9484.

Keep Exploring

Discover more campgrounds

More campgrounds in South Dakota